Drug Facts

With so many voices and opinions out there, it’s important to understand the facts.

Fact is that while you’re a teen (and even into your early 20’s!), you’re still growing and developing, and drug abuse during these years in particular can have a lasting impact. Another fact to consider: the brain is much more vulnerable to addiction during these years. 90% of Americans with a substance abuse problem started smoking, drinking or using other drugs before age 18.

When it comes to drug use, individual reactions and experiences vary, so it’s important to understand the usual risks and effects, both short- and long-term. Knowledge can be the key to making your own best decisions.

Information provided isn’t to prevent anyone from seeking medical treatment under the advice and care of their doctor. A variety of substances offer potential medicinal value, but that doesn’t negate their risks,especially when abused.

Adderall

If you’re overwhelmed and feeling stressed by the pressure to perform, there are safer, more effective solutions than taking medication that hasn’t been prescribed to you.

AKA

Addies, Study Drugs, the Smart Drug

What is it?

Adderall is the trade name for a prescription stimulant (amphetamine) used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

When prescribed and taken correctly, under medical supervision, prescription stimulants can help treat a few health conditions. In addition to ADHD, they can be used to treat narcolepsy and occasionally depression. In treating ADHD, stimulants help regulate and normalize the dopamine and norepinephrine function in the brain, so a patient with this condition can focus better and pay more attention.1

Other brand-name prescription stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Benzedrine.

The Risks

These drugs require a prescription for a reason. When abused they can become dangerous, and in some circumstances, even deadly. Effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, and at high doses, stimulants can cause irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures and the potential for seizures or heart failure.

Combining with alcohol can make for an especially dangerous mix. Stimulants mask the alcohol’s depressant effects, increasing the risk for alcohol overdose or poisoning.1

Long-Term Effects

Stimulants can be addictive. The more you take, the easier it is to get hooked. Taking high doses of some stimulants repeatedly over a short time can lead to feelings of hostility or paranoia. There is also the potential for cardiovascular failure (heart attack) or lethal seizures.1

The Bottom Line

Some people mistakenly believe that prescription stimulants can help them focus and perform better in school, whether or not they’ve been diagnosed with ADHD. Multiple studies show this isn’t the case; in fact nonmedical use of prescription stimulants has been linked to lower GPAs among college students.2

If you haven’t been diagnosed with a condition that requires taking these drugs, and aren’t taking them under a doctor’s supervision, stimulant abuse can lead to dangerous side effects. If you’re overwhelmed by the pressure to perform well in school, there are more effective solutions.